With very early Spring come flowers that can be susceptible to the brutality of Mother Nature. We see the fragility of Magnolia and Macrophylla Hydrangea flowers here in New England when a frost comes through in April, and it can crush the flowers and flower buds respectively before they even had a chance to shine. I have writtenContinue reading “Dramatic Protection Of Peach Blossoms During A Freeze”
Author Archives: Barking Dog Gardens
2025 New England Weather Summary from Blue Hill Observatory
As much as I like to talk about plants and create plans in the garden, I am also a bit of a numbers and data geek. Hence, one of my favorite graphics of the year is the year-end weather summary, created by Mike Iacono, Chief Scientist at Blue Hill Observatory. I wrote about a greatContinue reading “2025 New England Weather Summary from Blue Hill Observatory”
Van Berkum Nursery: Supporting a new ecosystem of native plant growers.
Before I get to my discussion with John, a quick real-time look into our gardens. I expect all the snow to be gone around Boston, except for the largest piles, by Wednesday. As it melts and we get out to do some pruning, I am seeing extensive rabbit damage with girdling of stems and trunksContinue reading “Van Berkum Nursery: Supporting a new ecosystem of native plant growers.”
A Love Letter To Trees
Trees! Trees! Trees! We are going to talk about trees, and hopefully, with the input from a few passionate experts, I can help you to better appreciate and fall in love with the myriad of amazing attributes that they possess. I am not going to force ideas down your throat, or shame you into ‘taking my side’,Continue reading “A Love Letter To Trees”
Discussion with Mike Iacono, Chief Scientist at Blue Hill Observatory
As gardeners, we are always trying to be in tune with the weather, and how it impacts our gardens. Each newsletter, I try to provide some timely, weather information so that you know what has happened and what may be coming. Recently, I had a chance to talk with Mike Iacono, Chief Scientist at the BlueContinue reading “Discussion with Mike Iacono, Chief Scientist at Blue Hill Observatory”
New England Native Perennial Plant Seeds For Sale
I apologize for not writing recently, but I just got a brand new knee, to help serve you better! I have also been busy updating my website and collecting native plant seeds from a number of gardens in which I work. Some of the early seeds were gathered much earlier in the year, and someContinue reading “New England Native Perennial Plant Seeds For Sale”
Topics For Work In The Fall Garden
We have been enjoying such nice weather for the past several weeks and have even gotten to some fall work a little early to take advantage of the cool days and nights. Following is a glossing over of a class I teach in the late Summer called ‘Work in the Fall Garden’, and some of theContinue reading “Topics For Work In The Fall Garden”
Designing with Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are some of the most versatile and beautiful plants you can add to your garden. Many provide interest and coverage through the Winter and their seedheads can be a spectacular addition of interest and movement to the garden in Summer, Fall and Winter. Some of the larger grasses provide an anchoring element, while some modestlyContinue reading “Designing with Ornamental Grasses”
Interesting Garden Topics For The Summer
The caterpillar above will soon be a Black Swallowtail Butterfly. They lay eggs, grow and eat exclusively on plants in the Carrot Family, and you will often see them on your Parsley or Dill plants, eating away. This one is munching on some Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea.) It will shortly pupate and be a butterfly inContinue reading “Interesting Garden Topics For The Summer”
Native Plant Seeds Are Economical Way To Start A Garden
As we are in the Summer doldrums and find it hard to motivate in this heat, now is a great time to think about the future in your garden. Almost every client I meet with in recent seasons wants to add native plants to their garden, whether it means adding a few to their existingContinue reading “Native Plant Seeds Are Economical Way To Start A Garden”
Barking Dog Gardens - Gardening in New England 